South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

Third time no charm for Flyers girls in a 43-41 loss to the Pacific Indians

Whoever said, “The third time’s a charm,” should have a chat with Bill Thoele, the head girls’ basketball coach at Lindbergh High School.

The Flyers (9-8, 1-2 Suburban West) found themselves riding a three-game winning streak last week and in the championship game of the Lindbergh Invitational last Saturday afternoon — but there posed just one problem.

That problem was the Pacific Indians and their 17-3 record — not to mention the fact that Lindbergh lost to the Indians 58-55 in the Seckman Invitational on Dec. 29 and a 66-46 thumping by the tribe on Jan. 12.

So, the third time would be a charm, right?

Such wasn’t the case as Lindbergh dropped a heartbreaking 43-41 decision to the Indians. Yet Thoele put a positive spin on the Flyers’ loss.

“It was an exciting game,” Thoele told the Call. “We just didn’t have the luck.”

Although Lady Luck is known to win games for some of those that are privileged enough to experience her aura, luck was only part of the factor in the Indians’ win over Lindbergh.

The Flyers struggled from the floor as they hit just 11 of 46 shots (23.91 percent) and were out rebounded 40-36.

The Flyers head coach believed that Pacific’s style of play was what made the difference in all three games.

“I kind of think that they’re just a little more aggressive and get at it,” Thoele said. “They’re having their best season ever right now at Pacific.”

Lindbergh was led by the solid play of Paula Smith, who scored 14 points and 10 rebounds in its loss to the Indians.

Smith’s play throughout the Lindbergh Invitational Tournament was impressive as she averaged 15.3 points and 10.3 rebounds a game.

“In her last three games, Paula started shooting the ball really well,” Thoele said. “She’s coming around for us at the right time.”

Junior guard Amy Hake was a marked target throughout the evening and it was quite apparent as she notched 8 points, eight rebounds, five steals, five assists and one blocked shot.

“What Amy faces every night is that everyone knows that she’s our scorer,” Thoele said. “She didn’t get her 16-17 points a game, but she did have eight points, eight rebounds and five steals.”

Lindbergh is on the road this Friday evening as it travels to Parkway Central for a key Suburban West Conference showdown.

“Parkway Central is a pretty aggressive and physical team,” Thoele said. “It’s a game where we can get a little tougher and I think we’re getting tougher as a team and handling the ball better.”

The Parkway Central showdown with the Lindbergh Flyers is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.

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